Besides advancing to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons, this is how far the Rockets have come since last year at this time:

When they pursued Dwight Howard last year, many people in the NBA scoffed. This year, many people in the NBA are saying they have an excellent chance to sign the Lakers star - and some are saying they also have a chance to sign the Clippers' Chris Paul.

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With just under three weeks to go before teams can make official contact with NBA free agents, a look at the Rockets' chances for the two biggest: Dwight Howard and Chris Paul.

Rockets' chances

1% Chance of getting both: Yes, it's possible, but it would take some serious roster maneuvering, and that would include finding trade partners for last year's free-agent acquisitions: Jeremy Lin, a fan favorite and the starting point guard, and starting center Omer Asik.

10% Chance of getting Chris Paul: James Harden, who played with Paul on the 2012 Olympic team, would be the main draw for the Rockets. If Paul stays with the Clippers, the star point guard will be able to get the coach of his choosing and has a long-term lob-and-dunk partner in Blake Griffin.

40% Chance of getting Dwight Howard: The Lakers have about the same percentage, if not a tad better, of holding on to their star center. But Howard doesn't seem to be the happiest player in Los Angeles, and the Rockets have a younger nucleus and better chance at being an immediate Western Conference contender.

They could sign one.

They could sign neither.

This is the best time for most NBA general managers. While the two conference champions are engaged in the Finals, every other team has the luxury of time to dream how they eventually get their teams there without yet having to write any checks.

As an Italian friend often reminds me, "Dreams is free."

The Rockets aren't the only team with big dreams.

The Warriors believe they could be contenders with Howard. The Mavericks believe they could be contenders with Howard. The Hawks believe they could be contenders with Howard and Paul and already have space under the salary cap for both.

The Lakers are looking two years ahead, when they believe they will be champions again with Howard and LeBron James.

Sometimes, dreams come true. More often, they don't.

I don't know how the Rockets are proceeding because they can't yet discuss free agents, although they are mentioned so often in Howard speculation there no doubt is some truth to it.

But my guess is not in their wildest dreams do they expect to add both Howard and Paul.

That doesn't mean they aren't preparing for the possibility. The Rockets prepare for everything.

The Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen reported Sunday the Rockets have "about 20 others ways" other than trading power forward Thomas Robinson to create space under the salary cap to sign Howard.

In order to sign Paul as well, they would need to trade Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik to teams that would not require the Rockets to continue to pay portions of their salaries.

Lin's fans, and he has legions here who strenuously object any time he is criticized, no doubt would even more strenuously object if he were traded. But he's smart. He went to Harvard. He would be among the first to tell you he should be sacrificed if the Rockets could replace him with Paul.

Forget all of the above

Lin also is smart enough to look at all the pieces that would have to fall into place for the Rockets to acquire both superstars to know it isn't likely to happen.

So whom do you prefer, presuming you can acquire one?

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The caveat is whether he can again become the Howard he was before being sabotaged by back and shoulder injuries and his own attitude.

If you watched him during the playoffs, without the negative force of Kobe Bryant to drain his spirit, it appears he is healthy.

His attitude wasn't an issue before he was on the open market and probably won't be after he makes a choice that would commit him to the Lakers for five years or to any other team for four years. He might prefer four years because he would be a free agent again sooner.

Howard would be a better fit for the Rockets because they need a dominant center more than they need a dominant point guard.

Paul is one of the league's best, but the Rockets aren't deficient there with the combination of Lin and Patrick Beverley, especially assuming Lin continues to improve.

Asik made a step forward - I would never use the word leap in connection with him - last season. But he will never match Howard, either in facilitating perimeter shooters such as James Harden, Chandler Parsons and Lin or in transition defense.

Free throws? If Asik can improve under the tutelage of consultant Carroll Dawson, so can Howard.

Then there is the question of whether Paul would consider Houston.

Running the show

Paul wanted Vinny Del Negro out as the Clippers' coach, got his wish, then got angry because the owner acknowledged he made the move for Paul.

Paul will get over it. If the Clippers allowed Paul to fire the previous coach, they no doubt will let him hire the next one.

The Lakers, on the other hand, didn't allow Howard to fire Mike D'Antoni. That, combined with the fact he doesn't like playing with Bryant but probably would like playing for the Lakers even less if Bryant doesn't come back 100 percent from his Achilles injury, makes it more likely Howard would move.

He would prefer to play for a contender. With Harden, Parsons, Lin and Howard, the Rockets would be a contender.